Written by Christina Mink
On November 12th, 2023, AYLUS Oyster Bay conducted a successful cleanup at Shu Swamp Nature Preserve. Volunteers, armed with gloves and trash bags, meticulously combed through both the park trail and its perimeter, which shares borders with nearby homes. Surprisingly, the majority of the collected trash was found near the residences, suggesting a need for improved waste disposal habits among some homeowners.
This proactive cleanup not only addressed immediate concerns but also tackled the issue of trash accumulating in the park’s lake during the summer months. The effort, covering a distance of 5 miles, not only contributed to a cleaner Shu Swamp but also fostered community engagement by uniting individuals in the shared goal of maintaining the preserve’s pristine condition. The team’s dedication resulted in a substantial amount of litter collected, filling an entire trash can.
Gratitude to the following 7 young volunteers, totaling 14.5 volunteer hours collectively.
Christina Mink 2.5 hours, Yuhan Zhang 2 hours, Eric Matsuno 2 hours, Amanda Li 2 hours, Pengyu Chen 2 hours, Zihan Chen 2 hours, Bob Xia 2 hours